Original watercolor and gouache painting on cold-pressed paper
12 x 18
 
Matsumoto, Japan hosts a number of fun and unique things to do and see. One place, in particular stands out in my memory: the secondhand bookshop, Seikano. In the 1950's, it was designed to look like the Matsumoto Castle.

What makes it look like it escaped time passing, are the tall, much more modern buildings sandwiched on either side of it.

I couldn't pass up a photo with my son in front. This was taken in 2018.

I picked a simple color scheme, and minimized the details in the yellow buildings. The focus is on the details of the antique bookshop nestled between modern monoliths. I put my son in the painting, reading a book as that seems fitting.